Enhanced Compatibility: Apple Vision Pro Reportedly Tailors Optimization for Third-Party Apps, Including Zoom and Microsoft 365 Apps

Apple’s highly anticipated Vision Pro mixed reality headset is currently available for preorders in the US, heralding a new era for the tech giant as it ventures into the realm of mixed reality. Described as a “spatial computer,” this groundbreaking device marks Apple’s foray into a new hardware category after almost a decade. Positioned to meet the diverse needs of users spanning productivity, entertainment, and gaming, the Vision Pro boasts a vast app ecosystem, offering over one million applications to enhance its appeal.

Despite its promising features, the Vision Pro faces a setback as major streaming apps such as Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify have chosen not to embrace the new platform, omitting their presence ahead of the February 2 launch. Nevertheless, Apple assures users that the Vision Pro will have a robust app selection at launch, with around 250 apps receiving submissions from developers with native support for visionOS.

A recent report from MacRumors, citing Appfigures data, reveals a list of popular third-party apps that will support visionOS upon the Vision Pro’s release. Notable names include Airmail, Box, Carrot Weather, Fantastical, Facades, JigSpace, Mubi, and more. Additionally, the list encompasses apps like Night Sky, OmniPlan 4, Parcel, PCalc, Red Bull TV, Sky Guide, Tides, Webex, Zoom, and others.

Excitement builds as developers share insights into apps optimized for the Vision Pro at launch. Developer Steve Troughton-Smith and user @M1Astra have posted images and videos showcasing various apps running seamlessly on visionOS on Mastodon and X, respectively. Notably, Microsoft’s suite of productivity apps, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams, is set to run natively on visionOS. The shared content also includes a glimpse of visionOS-supported apps like LEGO Builder’s Journey, Art Universe, Qlone, J.Crew, Lowe’s, and more, enhancing the device’s appeal across a spectrum of applications and experiences.

The third-party optimised apps will come on top of natively supported apps from Apple that will come pre-installed on the mixed reality headset. These reportedly include App Store, Files, Freeform, Mail, Messages, Music, Notes, Photos, Safari, Apple TV, and more. Additionally, the Vision Pro will also come with bunch of unoptimised apps preinstalled, including Podcasts, Books, Shortcuts, Reminders and more.

Bear in mind, apps available on the iPad and iPhone will automatically be available to download on the Vision Pro, too, unless the developer opts out of making their app available on the visionOS. Major streamers like Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube have done exactly that.

Apple, has, however, confirmed a host of streaming and entertainment that will be running on visionOS when the Vision Pro launches February 2. According to the company’s newsroom post, apps from streaming services like Disney+, ESPN, NBA, MLB, PGA Tour, Max, Discovery+, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+, Peacock, Pluto TV, Tubi, Fubo, Crunchyroll, Red Bull TV, IMAX, TikTok, and Mubi will be available to download on the headset.